A scratch-off coating is provided which includes a first layer of ink comprised of a water-based ink; and a second layer of ink comprised of an ultraviolet-cured ink layered over said first layer of ink, wherein upon application of a scratching force said first layer of ink and said second layer of ink are removable from a surface on which said first layer of ink and said second layer of ink are applied.

A scratch-off coating is provided which includes a first layer of ink comprised of a water-based ink; and a second layer of ink comprised of an ultraviolet-cured ink layered over said first layer of ink, wherein upon application of a scratching force said first layer of ink and said second layer of ink are removable from a surface on which said first layer of ink and said second layer of ink are applied.

The invention relates to a sheetlike composite (100) comprising a first composite region (101) and a second composite region (102); wherein the first composite region (101) comprises, as mutually superposed layers from an outer surface (104) of the first composite region (101) to an inner surface (103) of the first composite region (101): a) a thermoplastic layer A (110), b) a carrier layer (108), c) a barrier layer (106), and d) an inner polymer layer (105); wherein the outer surface (104) of the first composite region (101) is a surface of the thermoplastic layer A (110); wherein the second composite region (102) comprises, as mutually superposed layers from an outer surface (104) of the second composite region (102) to an inner surface (103) of the second composite region (102): A) a first thermoplastic layer B (109), B) the carrier layer (108); C) the barrier layer (106); and D) the inner polymer layer (105); wherein the outer surface (104) of the second composite region (102) is a surface of the first thermoplastic layer B (109); wherein the second composite region (102) does not comprise any part of the thermoplastic layer A (110); wherein a layer thickness (111) of the thermoplastic layer A (110) in the first composite region (101) is more than a layer thickness (112) of the first thermoplastic layer B (109) in the second composite region (102). The invention further relates to a process of printing a sheetlike composite; to a container precursor; to closed containers; to a device for printing; and to use of a polyvinyl acetal.

Described herein is a printing ink or coating composition that includes: (a) one or more elastomeric polyurethane resins with amine functionality having a glass transition temperature of about −45° C. to about −70° C.; (b) one or more acrylic resins based on a methacrylate/styrene co-polymer with a glass transition temperature of about 45° C. to about 110° C.; (c) one or more nitrocellulose binders; (d) one or more solvents; and (e) optionally, one or more waxes and/or one or more colorants. The inks and coating compositions are well suited for printing onto shrink sleeve label substrates, such as by flexographic and gravure printing. The inks and coatings provide exceptional printability and resistance to chemicals, to softening, to re-wetting, and to set-off.

Described herein is a printing ink or coating composition that includes: (a) one or more elastomeric polyurethane resins with amine functionality having a glass transition temperature of about −45° C. to about −70° C.; (b) one or more acrylic resins based on a methacrylate/styrene co-polymer with a glass transition temperature of about 45° C. to about 110° C.; (c) one or more nitrocellulose binders; (d) one or more solvents; and (e) optionally, one or more waxes and/or one or more colorants. The inks and coating compositions are well suited for printing onto shrink sleeve label substrates, such as by flexographic and gravure printing. The inks and coatings provide exceptional printability and resistance to chemicals, to softening, to re-wetting, and to set-off.

Systems and methods for making a flexo plate, and plates, machines, readers, and computer readable media for use therewith. In the system, a plurality of processing machines, each configured to perform one or more process steps in a workflow, includes a controller, a variable operating parameter controlled by the controller, and a reader configured to read machine-readable indicia on the flexo plate. The machine-readable indicia (e.g. bar code, RFID tag, text) is configured for persistent readability downstream of washing (and cutting) steps, without printing in the printing step. The indicia may embody information including at least a plate identifier and instructions corresponding to the at least one variable operating parameter for each of the processing machines or information corresponding to an address in computer storage where the information resides.

Systems and methods for making a flexo plate, and plates, machines, readers, and computer readable media for use therewith. In the system, a plurality of processing machines, each configured to perform one or more process steps in a workflow, includes a controller, a variable operating parameter controlled by the controller, and a reader configured to read machine-readable indicia on the flexo plate. The machine-readable indicia (e.g. bar code, RFID tag, text) is configured for persistent readability downstream of washing (and cutting) steps, without printing in the printing step. The indicia may embody information including at least a plate identifier and instructions corresponding to the at least one variable operating parameter for each of the processing machines or information corresponding to an address in computer storage where the information resides.

A flexographic printing plate includes at least one halftone printing area with a plurality of halftone dots. A halftone dot of said plurality of halftone dots is shaped as a relief area. Said relief area includes a central portion and a surrounding portion. Said central portion has a central dot floor with a first pattern of a plurality of pins protruding upwardly from the central dot floor. Said surrounding portion protrudes upwardly from the central dot floor and has a top side including a second pattern of a plurality of recesses. The first pattern and second pattern are such that the surrounding portion can be distinguished from the central portion.

A flexographic printing plate includes at least one halftone printing area with a plurality of halftone dots. A halftone dot of said plurality of halftone dots is shaped as a relief area. Said relief area includes a central portion and a surrounding portion. Said central portion has a central dot floor with a first pattern of a plurality of pins protruding upwardly from the central dot floor. Said surrounding portion protrudes upwardly from the central dot floor and has a top side including a second pattern of a plurality of recesses. The first pattern and second pattern are such that the surrounding portion can be distinguished from the central portion.

A method for the determination of print parameters of a printing machine, particularly a flexographic printing machine, comprises the following steps: First, a print form (12) is provided and mounted on a print cylinder (14). Then, at least one high-resolution image of the surface of the print form (12) is recorded by means of a 3D camera (18). On the basis of the at least one high-resolution image a height profile of the print form (12) is determined and then a simulated print image is calculated on the basis of the height profile and an initial set of print parameters. Finally, optimized print parameters are determined by checking and/or varying the print parameters of the initial set. For this purpose, a simulated print image is calculated again after the print parameters have been varied.

In addition, a test stand is specified on which such a method can be carried out.